Viaret And Jnar

When the kingdom of Acrià is conquered by the Dragon lord, J'nar, Prince of Dunsinaine, with vengeance in his heart and the gift of ice, is the only one who can save them. As the new ruler of Acrià, however, a new problem presents itself in the form of ----- Please R & R. Chapter One: The Prophecy To Be Glamis Hold, Acrià. The Year of the Phoenix. Ki’lan watched the battle raging beneath him from the walls of Glamis; as far as the eyes could see weapons clashed as warriors fought for a cause long forgotten. It had been so for many moons and then the sky had turned gray and a new moon had risen, red with, as the high priests said, the blood of slain souls. Now men entered the fight with a renewed vigor even as their families bid then remain within the hold. For it was said that the red moon was the sign of the Dragon king who, it had been prophesied, would one day come and put an end to the war; he would, however, do so by slaying the entire clan of Thanes leaving Acrià powerless. Thus men who feared death from the Dragon king chose it in the form of a Scraine warrior; for none who left the castle ever returned with soul and body as one. Before now the Dragon king had never chosen sides in a war between Acrià and Avis, for both sides did all to appease him, but on the fourth day of the eight knile, the red moon had risen above the ranks of the Scraine thus proclaiming them the Dragon’s own and ultimately the victors of the war. For did not The Prophecy say that: When the red moon rises in a starless gray sky When the dragon chooses his most worthy side Then shall the battle of ages cease And the wanderers of Avis be appeased Ki’lan had always regarded this part of The Prophecy with thinly veiled scorn as it seemed an addition made by the Scraine to scare the foolish and bolster the courage they did not have. This explanation was not without proof for the Scraine had long since been bemoaning the loss of Avis to the Thanes of Acrià and were famous for their ‘superstitious nonsense’. Now, however, as he watched his fellow men struggle to keep the Scraine from the gates of Glamis, he wondered if there was some truth to the words. They were not after all wholly favoring the Scraine and went on to say: Then the land will be purged of Thanes The sky will clear and a King will reign From the East he shall come with a root known

And slay the dragon, seizing Scepter and throne This part was a puzzle to all for it proclaimed the end of the Thanes and yet talked of the slaying of the Dragon king who was to supersede them. It had long been known that Acrià would be ruled only by the Thanes; for the magic binding them to the kingdom ran deep and strong. So, if the Thanes were to be purged, what then would become of Acrià and its entire people? The Thallons, the Grimk’es, the Morwes and all of Arnlend all depended upon the might of the Thanes. With the Dragon king defeated, the Scraine could not rule for once they were bound to him they would rise and fall with him. This too had come from the prophecy and if it were true Acrià’s only hope of survival against rival lands from the South lay in the hands of a king who none knew of and who could prove to be a foe worse than the Dragon himself. He sighed surveying the mixture of frozen bodies below him; humans, huroks, griffins and all manner of beasts that had been put to work in the fight lay in the snow, their carcasses an unheeded sign to all. When this was over, for surely it would end, these creatures would not be remembered; their valiant deeds would be forgotten as the snow is forgotten when the Sun comes out in Eteire. XX In the Wake of Caldor Castle, Acrià. The Year of the Phoenix. “Stop this foolishness immediately! Princes do not act thus...or rather should not.” Y’nel’s voice rang out in the silence of the night and was met with raucous laughter from the younger of his charges, the Prince of Dunsinaine, J’nar Ascencia. Y’nel had been teaching the twin princes for twelve years and had now been placed in charge of them as they made their way to the Golden City to be trained for Knighthood. J’nari Yascencia, the older of the twins was also the more quiet one and only made a noncommittal sound which was meant to be an admonishment of sorts to his brother who had hurled a snow ball at their master and whose feigned expression of penitence did not amuse said master. “Ascencia, this must end before we reach the city or I shall be forced to take more serious action against you.” “I forgot myself Y’nel, you have my most sincere apologies; it will not happen again.” “Do not call me Y’nel! I am not your age or range mate. You will address me as Master So’nar henceforth. Is that clear?” J’nar rolled his eyes but said, “Crystal.” Then under his breath, “Y’nel.” His brother made what sounded like a laugh then gave him a shove. It was a sign for J’nar to stop. And stop he did for he listened to no one as he listened to his brother.

XX The Golden City, Acrià. The Year of the Scorpion - Feast of the Scorpion. “Their Royal Highnesses, J’nari Yascencia and J’nar Ascencia.” The princes descended a wide staircase in view of the entire court of the Golden City. From a distance they looked identical but upon closer inspection one would find that their eyes differed vastly; J’nari, like their father possessed green eyes with flecks of silver glinting in their centers. J’nar on the other hand had glowing, electric blue eyes which flashed gold when their possessor was angry. Aside from their eyes the princes were indistinguishable in every feature from their frosted blue-black hair which they wore long to their pugnacious chins which spoke defiance more than words could. “I feel like a dolt or much worse a debutante.” J’nar sighed rolling his eyes at the spectacle of fawning females whose eyes seemed to claw at them like vultures. “I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them came up and asked me to dance...perhaps I would curtsy and she would bow.” “Tis better to be a dolt who is considerate and than one who is not. All these people are here because of us, t’would do you no harm to at least act interested.” J’nari admonished softly. “They are not here for us, brother dear. They merely want to feast upon these victuals placed before them and hope that we shall be served as one of the courses.” J’nari could not help smiling at his brother’s cryptic humor, all the while knowing that he meant no harm by his words; he had always said things to shock and irritate but never went out of his way to be spiteful. “Don’t walk so fast, the orchestra of growling stomachs has only just begun. Tis not everyday one gets to hear such harmonious music.” J’nari bit his tongue to keep from laughing at J’nar’s droll words and the serious tone he assumed as he said them. He quickened his pace slightly, however, knowing J’nar would join him. He did. They reached the bottom of the stairs simultaneously and made their way to the high table where the High King was waiting to begin the feast. He frowned at them, a silent sign of recrimination for their tardiness but was met with identical impassive expressions as the princes took their seats. “Fair people of the Golden City”, the King started with a resigned look on his face. “Appreciated guests of our Royal self, welcome to the eighty-fourth feast of the

Scorpion. We have been led to this new moon and thus must give thanks and hope for a year as great as and even greater than the last...” He continued along this vein as many minds drifted, more to the feast to come than not. XX Glamis Hold, Acrià. The Year of the Scorpion. “It is time Your Majesty.” R’duia, Thane of Verno said to his cousin, Theban, Thane of Glamis and King of Acrià. “I fear it is too late R’duia; a new moon has risen and it is red only on our borders. The dragon is coming, I can feel it here.” He pointed at his chest upon which rested a golden pendant inscribed with many spinning dials. “We can not give up so easily…the men…they are ready on your word.” “Then let them fight. It will do no good…but let them fight.” He sighed then dragged himself back into his chambers. “It is too late…” R’duia murmured the words to himself as he watched the retreating back of his cousin. A/N: Hello everyone. Did you enjoy that? Well there’s more where it came from if you would all be so kind as to review. That was a pretty direct hint, don't you think? Lol. Well I just hope you enjoy it as much as I did typing it. P.S: This only my second fantasy (I deleted the last one ‘cause it was weird and I wanted something different) sigh Nehoot. I hope you’ll read and review as you are wont to. P.P.S: Ok you notice the space up there where a name is supposed to be well I need an answer from y’all. What do you think about drum roll please …. Tyana, Acreolle, Elise (pretty normal, right), Elnori, Auroris… Well anyway you can give me your own suggestions if you think these ones stink. On that note. Cheers! Starox Chapter Two: The Dragon Rises The Northern City: Border line between Acrià and Scraine.

The Year of the Scorpion. A creature dragged itself across the scorched land that had once held a great city. Silhouetted against the paleness of the evening sky were the remains of towers and forgotten monuments. A light breeze blew and a broken shutter in the distance squeaked then gave in to gravity. The creature shivered nervously; word was that the ghosts of the former inhabitants of the Northern City hunted their resting ground and would take their vengeance out upon unsuspecting travelers. Scratch> The creature stopped; the sound had been soft but in the silence it seemed to reverberate. The creature looked about itself fearfully and hastened its progress. The air had become thicker, hotter and there was the unmistakable scent of…no it could not be…it could never be. Scratch> The creature stumbled over loose rocks in its haste to escape the sounds. The earth trembled slightly and then, from somewhere, there was the sound of a growl; a low, guttural sound that made the hairs on the back of the creature’s neck stand up straight. Scratch> The creature broke into a run, glancing frantically around. A loud crack rang through the air and then there was silence. The creature stopped and tried to catch its breath, a thing which was becoming increasingly difficult to do. The creature struggled to take in much needed oxygen but found the air almost tangible and worse, too hard to breathe in. A faint humming sound began and seemed to come from the very depths of the earth. In the distance the creature saw a light, glowing red and pulsing, as though it possessed life. He - for the creature was a male - moved towards the light, drawn there by some unknown force. As he got closer, the light glowed brighter and the humming sound grew louder until he was almost at the edge of the source; a wide chasm that appeared as though it hadn’t a bottom. Now close to the light, Aragis - for that was the creature’s name - could breathe and took great gulps of air, for fear that the ease with which he could do so might soon disappear. The compulsion to move further gone, he sat at the edge of the chasm warming his worn hands and feet; the light itself was hot and was almost touchable. Two things happened at once; the light in the chasm disappeared throwing the earth into complete darkness and then there was an exceedingly loud crack as though the very land upon which he sat was breaking itself from Renéa. Aragis jumped up and began to run away from what he believed was the chasm. He was running as fast as his stubby legs could move when he hit something big, hard and rough. The impact knocked him on his rear and he shook his head wondering why he had not noticed any trees before. He soon

heard a series of snapping sounds and then the ‘tree’ began to glow; softly at first then it flared into life illuminating not a tree but a fifteen foot dragon. Aragis gasped, his eyes widening in shock as the dragon came a live in front of him. This was perhaps the worst possible thing he had ever done for the dragon looked down upon hearing the sound and leered. It raised its head and roared, sending a wave of fire streaming out of its mouth. Then it spoke, in a rasping, jarring voice. “Ria toéré moiréys.” The dragon spoke Grimké, Aragis thought with more curiosity now than horror. He had heard tales of dragons from his nursery days and knew that in rest dragons did not move and were thus stiff when they awakened. That explained the snapping he had heard earlier (it had obviously been stretching) and the dragon saying that it felt good. His curiosity left him, however, when the beast returned its gaze to him. “E gromil…trou pelle; Se reteire pe ria qou fiute mont. It bent itself forward to inspect its quarry more carefully while Aragis scurried backward away from the beast’s mouth. “Te won’t…I mean…aiert…Aragis struggled to string the few Grimké words he knew together as the expression on the dragon’s face went from hungry to incredulous. “A gromil that speaks the language of men? This is most interesting. “It is not merely the language of men,” Aragis said indignantly, his fear evaporating. “Why the gromil have been speaking this language since the beginning of time.” “The dragon laughed, a deep, booming sound that had the effect of metal scraping against concrete on Aragis’ eardrums. He covered the affected body part till the dragon had finished. “I have not had a meal that talked as much as you have,” The dragon rasped, picking up the creature. “It will be a pity to eat such a prodigy.” XX The Golden City, Acrià The Year of the Scorpion – Feast of the Scorpion. A chamber in the left wing. “The feast was most boring, wasn’t it brother dear?”

“Not terribly so, J’nar and you might as well stop for I have no intention of telling you about her.” His brother regarded him from his seat on the mantelpiece with an expression akin to disgust. “You like her don’t you. Or perhaps you love her,” He sneered. “Stop it, J’nar or leave.” Snapped J’nari from the couch upon which he reclined. “And why must you sit there with seats aplenty where you can place your offending self.” “I offend you, J’nari?” There was an inscrutable expression on his face as he said it. His brother remained silent for a while the sighed and changed the subject. “Her name is Carrabelle. She is of the house of Candor.” “Carrabelle of Candor; how very quaint.” “If you don’t care to hear, then tell me so, if not shut it.” “Alright then.” “She is trying to study Alchemy.” ‘Trying?” J’nari threw him a look but continued. “Her father is of the old sort; he feels his daughter, as well as all woman kind, belongs anywhere other than a schoolroom so she uses Symology, the art of…” “I know what Symology is, J’nar snapped. “Just go on.” “You really are very rude, J’nar.” “Tis one of my better qualities.” J’nari sighed and continued. “She has been using Symology to listen to the lectures but apparently someone has wised up to her and is blocking all the routes.” “So she came to you for help?” “Something of the sort. Anyhow she’s very nice so I’d rather you not… He stopped and they both looked at the door. The knock came again, more insistent. “That would be her.” He said giving his brother a pointed look. J’nar rolled his eyes but pushed himself off the mantelpiece and headed for the door. He opened it but blocked the path of the woman on the other side. “J’nari?” She asked quietly.

“I almost wish I were.” He said with a slow smile. She blushed then stood a little straight, asking, “Is he here?” “He is.” “Can I see him?” “I don’t know. Can you?” “Let her in J’nar.” His brother called from inside the room. “One second.” He said, then, turning back to her, he asked, “Can you see him?” “Yes, I can.” She said stiffly. “Then what should you say?” “May I see J’nari?” She said, forcing the ‘may’ out. “Now was that so hard? Yes you may.” He raised his arm indicating that she pass under. Blushing furiously, she squared her shoulders and stomped into the room. J’nar chuckled. “Pity I was just leaving, I would have loved to get to know you better.” He closed the door behind him and walked off whistling to himself. “If you don’t mind my saying so, I dislike your brother very much. He’s so arrogant, so…so…rude!” “Tis one of his better qualities.” J’nari said with a laugh. “You seem to find this very funny.” She snapped, throwing her veil on a nearby couch. “Come here.” He said softly. She stopped. ‘I never meant…” “I am not angry with you. Come here.” “Very contradictory if you ask me.” She muttered, but made her way towards him. When she was standing over him, he pulled her down so she was lying beside him on the couch. He picked one of her golden locks and twisted it around his finger. “You’re very angry, aren’t you.” It wasn’t a question but she answered it anyway. “It’s my father and your blasted…sorry…brother.”

“Ignore my brother; he’s just very…disagreeable but he means no harm.” “I’m sure.” He chuckled. “What about your father?” “He wants me to leave court.” “What?!” “I know. I think …I think he knows.” “About your trying to learn alchemy.” “He’s so stubborn.” She said as though the answer to that question was obvious. “He can’t send you away from court.” “He says it’s for a little while but…”She looked down at her fingernails. “But what?” Taking a deep breath and then releasing it, she said, “I told him…well that you wouldn’t allow it.” “You told him what?” “That you would…” “I heard what you said. But why in Renéa’s name would you do that?” “Because I know you won’t.” He pulled lightly at the lock in his grasp causing her to wince. “Don’t be pert. I’ll talk to your father but you will have to stop trying to get into the classrooms while I do that.” “Why?” “Because I will have to assure him that under my protection you won’t be doing anything he was against.” “Under your…you would take…” “Yes I would, Belle. I was going to ask you during the feast but we were…interrupted.” “Can’t you send him away?”

“Send my brother away?” He asked with a laugh. “You forget we’re twins.” “But you’re the elder.” “J’nar only listens to me when it suits him so I doubt he will take to the idea of leaving court.” “Why are you called ‘J’nari’?” “Perhaps because it’s my name?” “I mean…well it seems as though it should come second not first.” “Ah well it’s an ancient legend; the first in a set of twins is said to have been sent by the second. In which case the second would be the elder. It’s merely a legend and no one believes it anymore but it’s an easy way to name twins; just add an ‘i’. “I find it hard to believe anyone would consider J’nar the elder, legend or not.” “Meaning what?” “Don’t pretend you’re angry because I know you know your brother is wholly immature.” He laughed and said, “You know me too well I suppose. In any case, my brother is no concern of yours.” “Subject closed, I suppose.” She said with an exasperated smile. “You must consider divination someday.” “I’m not very good at it but I can read your mind now.” “Can you really?” “Yes I can and I know you can read mine.” “Sorry only few possess the gift.” He said with a smile to melt butter. She took the finger holding her hair and kissed it. “Can you now?” “I do believe I have just gained inner sight.” A/N: Well I was going to kill J’nari but he’s suddenly very complicated so I can’t do that. So what do you think about the twins. Who’s your favorite? I need feedback! Nehoot I hope you enjoyed that. Cheers!

Starox.

Chapter Three – Blue Moon. Northhien, Acria The Year of the Scorpion Viarettianca Yentaire stared at the portrait in front of her with a look of incredulity. “It doesn’t look a thing like me, Aunt.” “It is most unladylike to complain, dear and do stop using conjunctions; it really is most unrefined.” “I wonder who the man could have been looking at to come up with this…thing,” She went on as though her aunt had not spoken. “Certainly not me.” Her cousin, her aunt’s only daughter, Olia Trepaigne, came up behind her. “Oh Retti, it looks lovely. So…moving.” “You can have it then.” Viarett said, handing the portrait to her. “Oh do you mean it? I’ll…,” She stopped with a nervous look at her mother then went on, “I mean…I will keep it in a special place in my room.” “No dear; do not take it.” Her mother said. Then turning to Viarett, she went on, “You will take the portrait and you will thank your uncle for being so kind as to let you have the portrait taken.” Thank my uncle? For this rubbish? Viarett thought then sighed and said, “Fine.” She got up, took the portrait from Olia and left the room without a backward glance. Olia, seeing the look on her mother’s face, followed suit and, in the hallway, caught up with Viarett. “Oh Retti, you ought not to make her so mad.” Olia dear, could you endeavor not to say ‘Oh’ at the beginning of every sentence? She thought this but said instead, “I was only telling her the truth so when I hid it behind a cupboard she wouldn’t blame the servants.” Olia giggled nervously and looked behind her as though expecting to see her mother following them. They reached a turn but Viarett kept walking. “Retti dear, aren’t…are you not going to thank father?”

“No.” Was her simple answer. “But mother said…” “I’m not going to insult your father’s intelligence by lying to him. I don’t particularly like the portrait – to say it lightly – and I hardly think your father wants me to pretend my gratitude.” “Would not it be prudent though? I mean…well you know what Master Insaven always says, ‘Tis not judicious to always let your true feelings show’ and if you did not thank father it would be very obvious that you did not like the portrait. Especially after it has taken so long to make and…” “Olia isn’t it already obvious that I detest this painting?” “Well ‘detest’ is a rather strong word but…” “Then it should give you some idea about my feelings right now.” “But to ignore mother completely?” “Alright then!” She turned and made her way back to the previously ignored corridor. Turning into it, she said, “You needn’t follow me, Olia.” “Oh I know. I will just wait here for you.” She said with a dimpled smile. Viarett sighed and continued down the corridor until she reached a door, the only one without a keyhole. She knocked and almost jumped back when the door melted in front of her. “Enter.” Acquiescing, she said, “Good Rising uncle.” “Good Rising Viarettianca. What brings you here?” “I have come to thank you for the lovely portrait which I received today.” Lovely indeed. “You have come to thank me, yet you do not like it.” “Olia thinks it very lovely.” “But you do not?” “I never said that. It looks very nice only it looks nothing like me. I assumed I was sitting for four hours each day to have my portrait taken. But I see now that I was merely keeping the…artist company while he let his mind wander.”

“You really have a penchant for saying what you think, Viarettianca. Tis not really a wise thing for a woman.” “Master Insaven has told me as much.” “Yet you do not pay him any heed.” “But I do uncle; I never say everything I’m thinking.” “Sit down dear. We must talk.” She sighed but took the seat he indicated. “You realize I have no intention of changing my self.” “I realize no such thing. Now why is it that you insist upon studying everything other than that which you are allowed?” She looked blank for a moment then said slowly, “I wasn’t aware that I was restricted in my study.” “Normally I would not have been interested but since you are coming of age, I feel it is my duty to tell you that most men do not have an affinity for…” “Learned women?” She suggested. “Basically yes. In which case, I would advise you to pull away from your study and more importantly, get used to doing that.” “Surely there must be some oddity who wouldn’t mind having a wife who, Renéa forbid actually reads books and scrolls.” “Don’t be so flippant about it. The man I have chosen for you is exactly the kind who does not…” “The man you have chosen for me?” she asked, sitting up. “Yes. His name is…” “How could you choose someone without telling me?” Her voice was just bordering on hysteria. “I will not have you raising your voice to me Viarettianca and will you stop interrupting.” “Sorry but why would you do that? You know I don’t want to get married now much less to someone who I will be in constant opposition to.”

“You need not be in constant opposition if you would only obey him.” “Uncle Andrei, I do not want to get married.” “Thankfully the power to make that decision is not in your hands.” “My father…” “Left you in my care and I feel it is high time you were married.” She sighed and looked down at her hands. This was not what she had expected; she had wanted to thank him for the horrendous painting and leave. She had not wanted to discuss her studies nor had she wanted to discuss her potential marriage. Why was he dropping this bombshell now, anyway? She was only ten and nine years. Granted many of her friends were discussing – in lurid detail – their own marriages but she had never considered the possibility. She had been to the court twice and on both occasions had failed to attract any…no that wasn’t true. She had attracted quite a lot of men and they all fell into the categories, money and sex. Contrary to popular belief she was very aware of what went on in a bed chamber and had been so since the age of six when she had walked into her parents’ bedchamber in an inopportune moment. Far from being traumatized, she had used the knowledge wisely; at least she could tell which men wanted her for her body and which ones wanted her fortune. The ones after her money were perhaps more obvious though. They usually asked for her name and then began to either preen or otherwise list their many qualities which would make them appropriate life mates. As if she were to immediately fall in love with their hunting skills or their level of study. They would have had better luck talking to her uncle like that; he was holding her money for her after all. He was…no he would never do that. Besides her uncle had always been very well off. This had been the main reason her father had placed her in his care before he went into the war. They were in possession of enough money to not need to even want her own money. Or were they? “Can I at least think about this; perhaps get used to the idea?” “You will be going to court to meet him soon so don’t take too much time.” “Do not.” She said with a half smile. “What?” “Nothing. And to think I meant to go for a ride after this.” “I know it must be a shock for you but you knew this would happen someday.” “Yes. I suppose I did.” She got up weakly and smiled at her uncle. “You needn’t worry about me; all I need is a little while to get used to this then I can take it with my usual valor. After all this is merely another challenge. Is it not?” She left the room slamming

the door which had appeared sometime during the discussion. She wasn’t indifferent or even bravely awaiting this new challenge. No. She was furious and when she was furious, she took a ride. It always calmed her down and it would help her think of what she would put into her letter to her father. She nearly bumped into Olia who was busy admiring the portrait and considered throwing the thing out the window but calmed herself. When had she gotten this wild anyway? She had always been the calm one in her family. It was her relatives, she thought bitterly; they were driving her crazy. Her aunt was constantly keep up appearances, her uncle was indifferent one moment and the next was making life changing decisions and her cousin was simple minded to say the least and grating to say the worst. She felt like screaming in frustration. The entire household, itself was aggravating; it seemed to be moving too slowly, everyone seemed to be moving too slowly, maids moving slowly, grooms moving slowly, stable boys moving slowly. She practically grabbed the reins from the boy, mounted and kicked her horse, Faria, into a mad gallop. XX The Golden City, Acria The Year of the Scorpion. “J’nar! Wait!” “What is it Arielle.” He said curtly. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I was only joking and well…it got slightly out of hand.” “I’m glad you think that. What is it?” “Why are you being so difficult? It isn’t as though you didn’t know about the race.” “And I told you no.” “You aren’t my father J’nar. You can’t just tell me what to do and I know you’re going to say something like ‘Tis only because I care about you’. Well you have a funny way of showing it. First you do everything in your power to stop me from entering the race which you know I have wanted to enter since girls were allowed and then when I do get in you refuse to sponsor me even though you’re the one who keeps saying you’re my friend and you don’t believe in all that rubbish about women not doing anything. How did you expect me to react? And don’t walk away from me.” For he had turned and continued on his way to the royal stables. “I’m going for a ride.” He tossed over his shoulder. “I can see that but I don’t understand why you never want to talk about us.”

He turned at this and said very slowly as if weighing each word. “There is no ‘us’. There never has been and unfortunately there never can be.” With that he turned and resumed his march towards the stable. “It’s because you can’t control me isn’t it. You’re afraid you can’t bend me to your will.” He stopped again and this time he walked back up to her. “You’re wrong Arielle; I can control you and I can bend you to my will. I just don’t want to.” When he turned again she grabbed his arm and said, “I’m sorry J’nar…I just can’t…” “Don’t tax yourself.” Then in a softer tone. “We can still be friends, chemari.” She tried to hug him but he pulled away and walked on to the stable. “Don’t call me ‘love’ if you don’t mean it J’nar; because I do.” She said it so softy, however, that he never heard. xx J’nar walked up to a horse which seemed to be made of steel. It glowed silver while its mane was snow white. More spectacular than its coloring were the powerful wings that sprouted from its sides; the transition from hair to feathers was smooth, almost liquid. He stroked the beast’s head, murmuring its name, Avis. Like all winged horses this one was coaxed forward by the promise of food. “Greedy beast.” J’nar said, laughingly. “I’ve got something for you though. The cooks are going to start hating me.” He held the frosted tart to the horse’s mouth and as expected it took it in one bite. “I would consider that a waste if I didn’t think you enjoyed that. Why would you swallow such a succulent piece without even savoring it for a while? Why am I so ridiculous whenever I’m around you? Come this place stifles me.” The horse allowed himself to be led out of his stall and out of the stable but once it stepped out, it turned wild and began bucking, stamping and snorting. Its eye turned fiery red and it seemed to want to take flight more than anything else. J’nar looked up wondering what could have brought up such abnormal behavior in his normally docile steed. He gasped - an unusual action for him - for the moon was blue. “No. No, it can’t be happening now…not so soon. Not so bloody soon!” He swore and dropped the reigns to his horse letting the beast fly and running towards the castle.